December 02, 2013

Opponents are daring Mekel and Larkin to shoot

DALLAS -- Dallas Mavericks rookie point guards Gal Mekel and Shane Larkin have been so disrespected by opposing teams that they've often been left wide open on the perimeter.

In other words, opposing teams have given Mekel and Larkin an open invitation -- a very green light -- to shoot as much as they want to. That dare is available because neither Mekel or Larkin have proven to be an efficient marksman from the perimeter thus far.

Coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged that it's a process to get Mekel and Larkin to recognize what the defenses are doing to them and take advantage of the situation.

"You've got to work on simulating those situations in practice,'' Carlisle said. "When those shots present themselves you step into them -- one, two, shot.

"If we stick to the process we'll make our share of shots. I’m not worried about that.''

Mekel is averaging 3.9 points and 2.6 assists in 13 minutes per game, while shooting 40 percent from the field and only 15.4 percent from three-point range. Larkin is averaging 3.3 points and 1.9 assists in 12.6 minutes per game, while shooting 31.3 percent from the floor and just 22.2 percent from three-point territory.